THE SECRET OF A GREAT POOL STROKE!﻿~ by Anthony Beeler

As you well know, I’m a Master Instructor that focuses a lot on mental game, so if you think you are getting a magical stroke tip here, this article may disappoint you.

But if you want enhance the way you think and allow yourself to deliver more straight, smooth strokes, well then maybe I can be of assistance.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
PRACTICING AND PLAYING

There are fundamental
differences between practicing and playing. One of the major
differences between the two environments is that there are consequences during
actual game play (that result in either winning or losing). Conversely there
are no consequences to each shot if you are practicing.

THE BENEFIT OF A QUIET
MIND

From a mental perspective,
when you are practicing, your mind is generally quiet, there’s no mental
clutter before you start your stroke. There’s the cue ball, there’s the object
ball and there’s a pocket. During match play, quite often there is a
distraction caused by fear: What if I miss? What if I don’t get position on my
next shot? What if the table rolls off? And so on…

This not only causes
stress, but it also causes subtle changes in the body. You may not even notice,
but most likely your muscles are tensing up (starting with your grip pressure).
The effects of these mental and physical changes are:

Loss of focus on the shot at hand

Loss of focus on the process –decision-making, aiming, proper
alignment, (visualization and feeling the shot) etc.

Loss of fluidity in your stroke

Changes in stroke timing

The end result is a stroke
that is inconsistent and unlike the one you had while practicing.

SO HOW DO WE CHANGE
THIS?

There are several things
that you can do that increase confidence, maintain a quiet mind and maintain
access to your best game. When a professional is performing at their best,
there’s direct correlation between their senses and their brain. You have heard
of this state of mind referred to as “the zone”, or “dead stroke”.

Also, when a player is
performing their best, they are not preoccupied by thoughts, judgments or
emotions. There’s no sense of self or “self-consciousness”. The mind is 100%
focused on the present (there is no past or future).

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE
BRAIN DURING FLUID MOTION?

The pre-frontal cortex is
the part of the brain responsible for managing complex processes. It helps you make decisions and controls your
mental game. In pool it’s great during
the “decision making phase” of your routine, but it can easily become that
“little voice in your head” when you are down on the cue ball. To produce a
better pool stroke, and get into the “dead stroke” that little voice needs to
be turned off to allow you to execute each shot subconsciously.

THE BEST PRE SHOT
ROUTINE

The best pre-shot routine
is one that enables you to keep your mind quiet, and focused. When I ask students to describe their pre-
shot routine, they describe all the physical steps, but virtually nothing about
where their focus is or what is happening mentally.

How committed you are and
how quiet your mind is more important than going through the physical steps. I want to know exactly what you’re focusing on
from the time when you fall into your stance all the way through yourstroke.

What are the best things
to focus on? From my experience, the best thing to focus on to keep your mind
quiet is one of your senses (sight, feel, sound, breathing etc.). Experiment
with this while you are practicing, and find out what allows you to produce
your best stroke. Then, during match play, make this one of your process goals
to measure the success of the shot.
Overtime this will become automatic which will result in better strokes,
more wins, and more tournament championships!

Author: Anthony BeelerAnthony Beeler is an instructional columnist for Pool and Billiard Magazine and On the Break News. He is the owner and founder of Virtual Billiard Academy and the Angles as a Second Language Course. He is a player representative for McDermott Custom Cues and is a four time Kentucky State 9-Ball Champion. In addition, he also won the 2013 BCAPL National 9-Ball Championship and has a total of six top 25 national finishes to his credit.